Get off my land is a short suspense-filled drama of the crime genre by Douglas Ray. The basic narrative follows a young couple who find themselves faced with a deadly conflict, when they fail to follow a public footpath.
The first thing I notice about the mise en scene of ‘Get off my land’ is the setting, as the entire film is set in the open countryside. This is effective because it is quite unusual and the outdoor setting enforces the idea of ‘journeys’ ‘adventure’ and ‘mystery’.
Another theme which I believe is key throughout this particular film is ‘death’ as many elements of the film such as the sound and editing help to create a chilling, deathly feel.
For example, low speed editing is used throughout the film which is quite unusual for the crime genre which often uses high speed editing for effect. However, in this case it is rather effective as it helps to build suspense and tension. This low speed editing is particularly effective towards the end of the film where the audience can hear the sound of a gunshot and birds fleeing the scene however, the writer uses withheld information here as he only allows the audience to see this scene of dense forestation and leaves them guessing who the gun was shot by and what has happened as a result of it.
The use of sound, or lack thereof, is also effective throughout the film because it too, is able to build a great deal of tension in the audience. Unlike a lot of shot films this piece uses no music and limited sound effects.
Silence is often used in this film to build an effect; awkward silence as they are walking, tense silence during the conflict with the landowner and deadly silence once the couple have been shot. Furthermore, the only sounds we really hear in this piece apart from the minimal dialogue, are the sound of a truck pulling up, the sound of gunshots and the sound of crying. Everything else is usually only accompanied by the eerie whistle of the wind.
The performance in this film is extremely shocking and disturbing, however it is not over exaggerated. This is effective because the realistic style of drama makes the film feel more believable; as though it could happen to anyone one of us, which makes the narrative even more chilling.
The film also uses juxtapositions, for example, it being set in a beautiful brightly coloured countryside, with quite high key lighting, however the subject matter and events of the film are the exact opposite; dark, daunting and deathly.
I believe that another theme in this short film is that of ‘desolation’. A desolate outdoor place, filled with tense silences, a mere three actors and minimal props. In fact, one of the only props used in ‘Get off my land’ is a gun, which again reinforces the theme of ‘death’. Desolation is also shown through the use of extreme long shots such as the one shown of the forestation above. This helps to create the idea that the couple are in the middle of nowhere, too far away from everyone and everything to be seen, or more appropriately; heard.
Something else which is interesting within the film, is the fact that names are never mentioned which adds to the idea of ‘suspense’ and withheld information, creating a strangely desolate feel.
There are also several different types of camera shots and movements used during the film for effect. For example when the camera pans upwards slowly at the very beginning of the film to show the couple’s shoes, as they, unknowingly, continue along their journey to their death. A downwards pan shot is also used further on in the film when the camera tilts downwards to reveal the object of their demise. This is effective because it creates more suspense than a straight cut edit which wouldn’t allow the audience enough time to wonder, and subsequently be shocked, by what is at the hand of the landowner.
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